Phrasal verbs "deal with" vs "do with"

Differences between deal with and do with

Deal with means to handle or manage a situation, problem, or person, while do with means to manage without something or someone.

Meanings and Definitions: deal with vs do with

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Deal with

• 1. Handle or take care of.

  I spent the morning dealing with my emails.

• 2. Handle or address a problem or situation.

  The government must now deal with the problem of high unemployment.

Do with

• 1. Wish for or ask for ( usually after can or could ).

  I could DO WITH a cold beer about now.

Usage Examples: deal with, do with in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

deal with

Example

She needs to deal with her financial issues.

Example

He deals with customer complaints every day.

do with

Example

I can do with some help on this project.

Example

She does with a little more time to finish her work.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Deal with

cope with

To manage or handle a difficult situation or problem.

Example

She had to cope with the stress of her new job by practicing mindfulness and taking breaks.

address

To confront or tackle a problem or issue directly.

Example

We need to address the communication breakdown in our team to improve productivity and collaboration.

sort out

To resolve or fix a problem or situation.

Example

He spent the weekend sorting out his finances and creating a budget plan.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Do with

manage without

To handle or cope with a situation or problem without the help of something or someone.

Example

I can manage without a car since I live close to work and can walk or bike.

make do

To manage or cope with a situation or problem using whatever resources are available.

Example

We had to make do with limited supplies during the camping trip, but it turned out to be a fun adventure.

get by

To manage or survive with limited resources or income.

Example

She had to get by on a tight budget during college, but it taught her valuable money management skills.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “deal”

• deal in

Phrasal Verbs with “do”

• do away with
• do up
• do in
• do over
• do without

Phrasal Verbs with “with”

• square with
• could do with
• hold with
• fool with
• disagree with

Differences in deal with vs do with: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: deal with or do with?

In daily conversation, people use deal with more often than do with. This is because deal with is used for a wide range of situations and problems that we encounter in our daily lives. Do with is less common and is mainly used when we talk about managing without something or someone. So, while both phrases are used, deal with is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of deal with and do with

Deal with and do with are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of deal with and do with

The tone of deal with and do with can differ based on context. Deal with often carries a serious or challenging tone when related to handling difficult situations or people, while do with typically has a more neutral or practical tone, especially when referring to managing without something or someone.

deal with & do with: Synonyms and Antonyms

Deal with

Synonyms

• manage
• address
• tackle
• confront
• face
• resolve
• handle
• attend to
• take care of
• cope with

Antonyms

• ignore
• avoid
• neglect
• overlook
• dismiss
• postpone
• evade
• sidestep

Do with

Synonyms

• desire
• need
• want
• require
• request
• wish for

Antonyms

• dislike
• reject
• refuse
• avoid
• abstain
• decline